Neurotransmitters

Question 1

What is an agonist, antagonist, reuptake inhibitor, and enzyme inhibitor? How do they each to affect neural communication from a neurotransmitter perspective?

Answer 1

Agonist: drug that binds to a receptor and produces similar response
Antagonist: drug that binds to a receptor but prevents binding of normal neurotransmitter Reuptake inhibitor: drugs that affect reabsorption
Enzyme inhibitor: drugs that inhibit enzymes that would normally break down a neurotransmitter

Question 2

Which receptors can Acetylcholine bind to the? When is Ach excitatory and when is it inhibitory?

Answer 2

Binds to cholinergic neurons – it’s always excitatory and never inhibitory b/c ACh is a excitatory receptor

Question 3

Differentiate between nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, where they are located and effect ACh has on each of them.

Answer 3

Nicotinic is found within the motor end plates of skeletal muscle and parts of CNS and it mimics blocking of ACh

Muscarinic is found within the CNS in the parasympathetic postganglionic fibers of heart, digestive tract, and iris

Question 4

Describe adrenergic receptors (what neurotransmitters are involved). How do alpha and beta receptors differ when the NT’s bind to these neurotransmitters?

Answer 4

Alpha causes increase in blood pressure and dilation in the eye Beta receptors increase heart rate and force of contraction

Question 5

What is the role of Serotonin, Dopamine, Glutamate, Substance P, endorphins/enkephalins, Histamine, Epinephrine, and GABA?

Answer 5

Serotonin: helps with depression

Dopamine: similar to adrenaline and plays major role in mental and physical health(controls movement)

Glutamate: helps process learning and memory

Substance P: mediator of pain signals

Endorphins/enkephalins: reduces pain in stressful conditions (runners high)

Histamines: plays a role in the immune response (what causes the allergic reaction)

Epinephrine: emotional behavior, regulates blood pressure and heart rate

GABA: muscle tone

Question 6

What neurotransmitters are affected in Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s, Runner’s high, High BP, Cobra Venom?

Answer 6

Alzheimer: ACh
Parkinson: Dopamine
Runner’s high: Endorphin
High BP: Alpha receptor and epinephrine
Cobra venom: histamine

Question 7

Which neurotransmitters are commonly manipulated in the treatment of depression?

Answer 7

Serotonin and epinephrine